HYDROGENATION OF EPOXIDIZED NATURAL-RUBBER IN THE PRESENCE OF PALLADIUM ACETATE CATALYST

Epoxidized natural rubber has been selectively hydrogenated in the pre sence of a homogeneous palladium acetate catalyst. The hydrogenated pr oduct has been characterized by infra-red and nuclear magnetic resonan ce spectroscopies. No change is noted in the epoxy content of the poly mer after the reaction. The catalyst is highly selective in reducing c arbon-carbon double bonds in the presence of epoxy groups. Natural rub ber has also been hydrogenated for a comparative study. The rate const ant of hydrogenation is decreased with increase in epoxy content of th e polymer.